DIY Florist: Bouquet Making Basics

You can totally go Martha Stewart on your flower garden with this great set of directions from Home Made Simple for DIY Bouquets!  If you visit their site there are even more pictures to go with these directions.

Gather Supplies

The basic items needed to build a successful bouquet are simple. Gather floral foam, bamboo sticks (or wooden dowels), floral wire, floral or masking tape, a sharp knife, scissors, pruners, embellishments and of course, a vase and flowers!

Prepare Your Containers

Cut the foam to size with a knife, then set it in the center of the vase. Criss-cross across the vase’s top with two pieces of floral tape to provide a sectional frame, plus stability for the flowers. It’s okay if tape overlaps on the vase’s sides because the edge flowers will cover it. And if you need to add more diagonal strands of tape later, that’s okay, too!

Cut the Stems

In a bowl of cold water, or under the running water of the sink, snip the stems to size at an angle with scissors or a sharp knife. Cutting them in the water helps keep the stems’ vessels open so they can continue to soak up the nutrients they need.

 

Start in the Center

Begin with tall, sturdy flowers in the center (we used roses), pinching extra foliage off as you work. When arranging, keep the rule of thirds (3, 5, 7, 9) in mind to create symmetry and balance. For fleshy flower stems that fold easily, attach to bamboo skewers with floral wire, then stick into the floral foam. Be sure to cut bent stems off to allow the flow of water to continue.

Build Out

For centerpieces, build around the center in a circular fashion. If the back will be against the wall, focus on filling the front and sides. And don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and varieties! In our Made You Blush bouquet, we used tissue-papery peonies to fill in big spots. And to add shoots of green amongst the pink landscape, we added snapdragons.

Fill In

Find empty spots and tuck in small flowers. We used pink tulips and delicate hydrangeas. Other good fillers include carnations, baby’s breath, feverfew and Bishop’s lace. Take inspiration from your local florist’s arrangements, and experiment until you find something you like.

Add Embellishments

Let your imagination soar! Use items like feathers and paper butterflies, or add pops of tulle throughout. Cut a small piece of the fabric, then gather one end into a bunch and attach to a bamboo stick with floral wire. Stick them throughout the arrangement. Add dried green peas or glass beads to clear vases for more pops of color.

Quick Tip

Hand-wash your vases, floral containers and dirty dishes with Dawn® Mediterranean Lavender. It gives you the squeaky-clean dishes that you’re looking for. Plus, the relaxing scent of lavender will help you enjoy your dishwashing routine.



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